Start Talking initiative aims at heroin

Program to include $1 million in grants

3:28 AM,
Jan. 9, 2014

Written by

Carrie Blackmore Smith
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The heroin and prescription drug epidemic in Ohio has grown to such a degree that everyone in the state must turn to face it, Gov. John Kasich said Wednesday as he announced the start of a new anti-drug initiative called Start Talking.

The state has cracked down on prescription pill mills, increased efforts to stop drug trafficking and created guidelines for doctors who prescribe opiates, Kasich said. But now, a grass-roots effort to educate parents, teenagers and teachers on the perils of opiates must become widespread.

"Heroin is in all 88 counties," Kasich said. "We can't be embarrassed ...